New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-07-08
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
Typ!c:;, EN,,LIsH STATESMAN.

A TYPICAL ENGLISH STATESMAN.
GEORGE cASNI NC BY A pnhsD h i0m0 PIP
The sketch of Canning written for Mr.. Andrew
LANCE series Of English Worthless" by tho OK
editor Of The London Daily Necs Is an admirably
clear and dspassionats narrative DIG ested from an
almost bewildenns variety of materials The
political memoirs, biographies Journals, ETC.. OF tho
period covered by Cannings career are abundant !:
he is prominent figure In many Of them; and be-
yond nearly all other statesmen of his time 1t was
his fortune to he ferventy misunderstood. or else
devoutly admired. Upon the whole his contem'
poraries were unjust to him, and the governing
Glasses in particular disiiked and dictrusted him.
Out Of the mass of records often contradictory,
prejrdiced and misleading, Mr. Hill has disongaged
0 STRAIGHTFORWARD story, with tho skill Of one ac-
customed to weigh testimony and to consider re-
ports with an ample allowance for personal bias
1t is part Of the training of true journalist as
distin euishod from the mere partisan newspaper
writer to acquire just this judicial faculty. cnioi
part Ct the historians equipment
Mr.. Hills high appreciation OF Canning does NOT
blind him to that stateemans serious dcIects-tno
excessive personal ambition which alleged MS
patriotism and the 0verrelsnce upon arts OF politl-
cal management to which no wed an undeservod
character for duplicity and intrigue. Mr.. Hill
recognizable often forgotten truth that political
tactics are not necessarily tricky or dishonest be-
cause they are ingenious 1t must be confessed
however, that In his severely plsin book, which is
political narrative rather than study of cbarac-
ter many readers will be likely to find less fatter
ing portrait of Canning than the author evidently
intended to draw. and will DO moro impressed by
the influence of personal antagonisms and private
preten siOns upon his public conduct than by the
largeness of his craftsmanship. II Is really not
until he reaches the summary in his last chapter that
Mr. Hill quite justifes his opinions. Canning, &C.
cording to him. represents the iptensest form OF
national feeling. He was above all things IN
Englishman. To him man is an Englishman or
Frenchman first, and anything and everything or
nothing else a'terward. His character is formed
by his native touuue, with its associations and sug.
gestiohs. by the historic traditions which he has
Inherited, by the traditions which he sees about
him and which give shape and direction to his lfe
Each nation has its own law of fe good for itself.
not to be forced on others. Hence Canning well
coined popular uprisings against foreign domna-
ton in Spain, Greece, and South America, and, at
least In theory, objected to the suppression of
French popular theories In France while be stIen-
uously opposed the propaganda Of French prin'
ciples in other countries to which they were not
suited. Consistently with these ideas, he became
the great antagonist OF the Holy Alliance, which
cndeavored to impose upon other nations principles
u
glory as statesman that he defe ated this absolut-
ist combination: In his home policy viewing the
political institutions which ne found in existence
an the organs OF the national lfe be was jealous OF
any attempt to touch them, and YVES therefore an
anti-Reforuer. Dissenters and Nouconformists
were Objectionable and rebellious persons, to be
connived at only so far as might be absolutely ne
cessary. Roman Catholicism on the contrary in
Catholic country like Ireland, was great institu-
ton moulding the life of its people, and therefore
he vas IL. favor of Catholic emancipation 1t will
DO seen that Mother of the great parties could
claim him, and naturally both were quick to accuse
him of self-seeklng; but his independence was the
result of a strict adherence to principle.
Judged by the standard OF his own desires Can
ning's career was net brilliantly successful With
thirst for Office and responsibility, an exalted
sense of his own powers, and a contempt for his
ministerial associates, he was long kept in subordi
nate positions to which he felt himself superior.
or was excluded from the direction of affairs dur
ing critical times when he might have rendered
lasting services to his country He had fatal
facility for standing in his own light. He pressed
his CLAIMS perhaps prematurely, with frankness
and decision which looked like arrogance. and he
made difficulties about acting with other leaders
which there was certainly much reason for at
tributing to unworthy jealousy In the Cabinet he
was an Overbesring and insolent colleague, in the
House of Commons lie made numerous enemies by
the flavor of contempt which ran through his mind
and was impressed upon his speech. One of his
candid friends said that Canning never could be
Agenteman for three hours at a time. He hated the
lrist0cracy, as other statesmen have done who
nave lived among them without being of them
and they returned the feeling with interest Oppo-
si,ion to the exclusive pretensons Of the great
governing families and their arstocratic adherents
to enjoy the offices and control the policy of the
State, was amatter of principle as we'll az passion
with him. and he ne er wavered in 1T from the first
day of his career t. the last 1t is not surprising
that he had the chagin of seeing inferior men for
whom he bad special diversions set over him by
those who should naturally have been his political
friends.
Mr.. Hill draws an agreeable sketch of Canning's
social and domestic qualities. for in private life his
character was noble and his demeanor delightful
He dwells at some length upon the political and
other jeur Gespit for which Canning was famous,
but he seems to entertain no very exalted opinion
of their value In fact they hardly deserve their
reputation, which has long been matter OF tradi-
tiOa rather than of critical Judgment Taste in
tho comic changes like other fashions and very
little of Cannings fun aside from one OF two WE'LL
known pieces, is favored for the palates of to-day.
But even when all proper allowance has been made
for altered circumstances one cannot help seeing
that his souibs and satires and rhyming polemics
generally the thin product of q nmble and
iaborious intellect rather tnan the illusions Of an
overlooking humor. They offered, however, re-
frcshng contrastto the brutal lampoons Of the
period, and to this circumstance they may have
owed much of their vogue.
Mem Publications.